Hernial truss.



UNTTED STATES CHARLES E. KENYON,

PATENT ()EFICE.

OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

HERNIAL TRUSS.

NPEGIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 713,450, dated November 1 1, 1902.

Application filed April 10, 1901.

To all whom, it may OOH/0677b.

Be it known that 1, CHARLES E. KENYON, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of New York, county of New York, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Trusses, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof, in which similar characters of reference indicatecorresponding parts.

Thisinvention relates to that class oftrusses which comprise a main frame of resilient material formed to extend partly around the body, a connecting-strap, back pads secured to the free ends of the frame, and front or supporting pads.

The object of my invention is to provide an improved article of this character, the front pads being so arranged that they are adjustable horizontally and axially and operating to exert upward-inward and backward-side pressure, drawing away from each other and following the direction of the inguinal canal andfitting the internal opening.

The device is simple in construction, durable, and inexpensive, it is readily adjustable to fit persons of various sizes and figures, and is applicable for use in cases of femoral, inguinal, and scrotal hernia.

The invention will be hereinafter fully described, and specifically set forth in the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure l is a plan view of my improved truss; Fig. 2, a front elevation thereof; Fig. 3, a detail vertical sectional elevation taken on the line :0 or of Fig. 2; Fig. a, a detail vertical sectional elevation taken on the line y y of Fig. 2; Fig. 5, a perspective view of one of the supporting or front pads having its hanger detached; and Fig. 6 is a plan view of a part of a truss, illustrating a modification of my invention.

In the practice of my invention I employ, primarily, a main frame A, of resilient metal, which is preferably coated with vulcanized rubber, is shaped or formed to fit around the body, and has a backpad B secured to each of its free ends. This frame is adapted to be securely fastened around the body by means of a strap A, which engages the buttons 1); but the said strap may be buckled or other- Serial No. 55,137. (No model-l wise fastened, if desired. The front of the frame A preferably embodies the downwardlyextended parts a and the horizontal part a, which is bowed outwardly, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, so as not to contact with the body of a wearer; but I do not confine myself to any specific form of frame.

Each front or supporting pad 0 is secured to the free end of a bowed hanger D, which is composed of spring metal and which embodies a part (I, which lies flat against the frame A, and an arm 01, twisted at an angle to the part (1, whereby the pad 0 when fastened in place is at an angle to the vertical front part of the frame A and is given upward-inward spring-pressure in the direction of the arrow 1, Fig. 3 of the drawings, and backward-side pressure in the direction of the arrows 2, Fig. 1, thus causing the two pads to draw away from each otherin the direction of theinguinal canal when pressure is exerted against the front of the mainframe, whereby pressure of the pads C in the proper and required direction is constantly maintained and said pads are prevented from exerting a pinching action toward each other.

Each resilient hanger D has a collar E secured thereto, which collar encircles the part a of the frame A and slides freely thereon, thus permitting of adjustment of the pads O to and from each other. These collars are secured in required position by means of setscrews F, which are threaded through the inner wall of each collar and through openings (1 in the hangers D and hear at their inner ends against the frame A, whereby the pads are readily adjustable horizontally upon said frame A.

As a means for adj ustably securing the pads 0 upon their hangers D, whereby said pads may be adjusted axially, each arm d has a pivot 3 extended therefrom, which pivot has a rectangular head 4:, and each pad 0 has a plate 0' secured to its flat surface and which is provided with a rectangular opening 5 of a size equal to the head 4, whereby when the head 4 is forced through the opening 5 and within the recess 0 of the pad 0 and then turned the parts are locked together. As a means for setting the pad at a required or desired angle each plate 0 has a series of openings 6, adapted to engage the inner end of a pads C may be placed at various angles, or they may be turned upside down, if desired,

and they are also interchangeable, whereby V the necessity of making right and left hand pads is obviated.

In the modification illustrated by Fig. 6 of the drawings the pad C is set an angle to the frame A by means of the arched spring-support D, which is secured to said frame by means of the screws 8, which may be threaded through the holes 9 for the purpose of adjusting the pad on the frame .A.

The supporting-pads G are of the usual eggshaped contour, having the heel c, and they are preferably composed of polished and enameled wood; but it is obvious that I may use pads of any adapted shape or composition.

\Vhile I have illustrated my invention in connection with a double truss, it is obvious it may be successfully used as a single truss by removing, one of the supporting-pads and its hanger, or it may be used in connection with a single frame formed to partly surround the body.

In the operation and use of the invention the physician or operator places the frame around the patient and then adjusts the pads C horizontally and axially until they are in required position according to the necessities of the case relative to the position of the rupture. The pads and their hangers are then securely set and the back-strap attached to the ends of the frame. By this construction it will be seen that the supporting-pads, while adjustable both axially and in the direction of the frame, after they are once set coustantly maintain proper relative position and exert pressure in the proper direction without any pinching action toward each other, thus producing a novel and efiicient device calculated to meet all the requirements of a truss.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a truss,the combination with the trussframe embodying the front elastic bow-section, of a hanger located at the forward portion of said frame and presenting, in a single piece of resilient metal, an arm which is ver tical in cross-section and a second arm extending at an angle therefrom in plan, and which is at an angle thereto in cross-section, said arms being mutually connected by a transverse twist, the first mentioned arm lying in parallel relation withand longitudinally adjustable on the contiguous portion of the frame, and the second arm extending inward from the latter and supporting a front pad to transmit pressure thereto in an upwardly-inward and rear-side direction.

2. In a truss,the combination with the trussframe embodying the front elastic bow-section, of a hanger located at the forward portion of the frame and presenting, in a single piece of resilient metal, an arm which is vertical in cross-section and a second arm extending at an angle therefrom in plan, and which is at an angle thereto in cross-section, said arms being mutually connected by a transverse twist, the firstmentioned arm lying in parallel relation with and longitudinally adjustable on the contiguous portion of the frame, and the second arm extending inward from the latter and supporting a front pad to transmit pressure thereto in an upwardly-inward and rear-side direction, said pad being axially adjustable on said arm.

3. In a truss, the combination with a section adapted to be secured on the body of an arm secured to said section, inwardly extending at an angle thereto and having a screw and a pivot carrying an elongated rectangular head, and a recessed pad provided with a back plate having an opening corresponding with said head and perforations located in an are relative to the pivot position in the back plate.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed my name, in presence of two witnesses, this 28th day of March, 1901.

CHARLES E. KENYON.

IVitnesses SOPHIA HARNISCH, BELLE PATERSON. 

